Honda VTX1800 (F, S, C, S, T) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Honda VTX1800S made from 2002 to 2007 in various forms — the VTX1800F, VTX1800S, VTX1800C, VTX1800S, and VTX1800T. (More on these variants below).

The Honda VTX series is a line of V-twin Honda cruiser motorcycles. VTX stands for “V-Twin Extreme”, because it’s intended to be a high-performance model.

The Honda VTX 1800 was launched in 2001 as a 2002 model. Honda claimed that 1800 put out 159 Nm (117 lb-ft) of torque at only 3,000 rpm and 75 kW (101 hp) at 5000 rpm, making the VTX1800 one of the most powerful production V-twin motorcycles of its time. (The Suzuki M109R soon took this mantle!)

Honda initially launched with three variants on the VTX1800. There are subtle differences between the three bikes.

  • VTX1800C — the “Classic”
  • VTX1800R — Retro, with cast wheels
  • VTX1800S — with spoked wheels and tube tyres

Later, Honda added a VTX1800F in 2015, with low-profile tyres on cast-allow wheels, and an LCD tachometer. This bike competed more directly with the Yamaha Warrior, Victory Hammer, Kawasaki Mean Streak, and the Harley-Davidson Street Rod.

Finally, Honda added a VTX1800T Tourer model in 2007, with soft bags and a windscreen.

This post was originally published on December 4, 2020, but has since been considerably updated.

Honda VTX1800T - VTX800 series with luggage and a windscreen.
Honda VTX1800T Tourer

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Honda VTX1800 Service Intervals

The Honda VTX1800 has service intervals of every 4000 miles or 6400 km. In the manual, services are presented as staggered:

  • Every 8000 miles change starting at 4000 miles (then at 12, 20 etc.), change the oil and filter, plus do some other minor inspections
  • Every 8000 miles starting at 8000 miles (then at 16, 24 etc.), change the spark plugs, inspect the valve clearances, and do a few other checks.

Of course, since you’ve probably had your VTX1800 for many miles, it would make more sense to just combine the below list of items into one service every 8000 miles / 12800 km or year.

The VTX1800 has a hydraulic clutch, so service the clutch fluid at the same time as the brake fluid.

Final drive is via a shaft, so you also do have to replace the final drive oil occasionally.

What you need to service the Honda VTX1800 — Consumables and Special Tools.

If you’re servicing the Honda VTX1800, you at least need motorcycle maintenance tools — things like an oil catch pan, a paddock stand, and so on.

For the VTX1800, the manual recommends the following specific consumables.

ItemHonda VTX1800 spec
Engine oilThe manual recommends SAE 10W-40 JASO T 903 standard MA,
Pro Honda GN4 10W-40 or HP4 (without molybdenum additives) 4-stroke oil or equivalent.

Don’t over-torque the bolt (spec is 30 Nm/22 lb-ft for the oil drain bolt per the manual) — use a torque wrench if you don’t have experience with how much torque is enough.
Oil filterNeeds to be changed every time you change the oil. Either get a stock oil filter (part 15410-MCJ-505) or the HF204RC. Torque for the oil filter is 26 Nm / 20 lb-ft.
Engine coolantUse Pro Honda coolant (ethylene glycol pre-mix) which is a 50/50 mix.
Spark PlugsNGK IFR5L11 should be used per the manual. Make sure it’s gapped correctly to 1.0-1.1mm (get a gapping tool) and torqued correctly. Manual says to tighten it 3/4 turn after it seats, loosen it again, then tighten it 1/8 turn after it seats.
Air filterPart number is 17213-MCH-000, or the K&N alternative HA-1802.
Brake padsChoose OEM, or EBC for more bite and lower fade. You need two sets for the front and one for the rear.
* Front: OEM 06455-MAT-E22, EBC FA261HH (2 sets)
* Rear: OEM 06435-MCH-006, EBC FA261HH (Same, but 1 set)
Shaft drive oilUse Pro Honda Shaft Drive Oil to change your shaft drive oil.
Honda VTX1800 parts for a basic service.

Honda VTX1800 Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Honda VTX1800 motorcycles.

Maintenance Procedures:

  • I: inspect and clean, adjust, lubricate, or replace, as necessary
  • C: clean
  • A: adjust
  • L: lubricate
  • R: replace

Notes:

  • At higher odometer readings, repeat at the frequency interval below.
  • Honda recommends you get a dealer to service the wheels / tires and steering head bearings for safety.
mi x 10004812162024
km x 10006.412.819.225.63238.4Every
Engine Oil (Pro Honda GN4 10W-40)RRRReplace every 12 months
Engine Oil Filter (HF204RC)RRR
Spark Plugs (IFR5L11)RRR
Valve ClearancesIII
Air CleanerRRService more often if riding in rain / dusty areas
Cooling SystemIII
Radiator CoolantIIRReplace every 2 years
Final Drive OilIIR
Brake Fluid (Honda DOT 4)IIRIIRReplace every 2 years
Brake Pads WearIIIIII
Brake SystemIII
Brake Light SwitchIII
Headlight AimIII
Clutch SystemIII
Clutch Fluid (Honda DOT 4)IIRIIRReplace every 2 years
Fuel LineIII
Throttle OperationIII
Crankcase BreatherCCCCCCService more often if riding in rain or at full throttle
Engine Idle SpeedIIIIII
Secondary Air Supply SystemIII
Evaporative Emission Control SystemII
Side StandIII
SuspensionIII
Nuts, Bolts, FastenersIII
Wheels/TiresII(S)II(S)I(S): Where spoked wheels fitted
Steering Head BearingsIII
Service schedule for the Honda VTX1800

About the Honda VTX1800

Honda VTX1800C Classic
Honda VTX1800C Classic

The Honda VTX1800 was the biggest cruiser ever produced — at that point in time. Honda later produced other motorcycles with bigger engines (e.g. the Honda Valkyrie Rune), and Kawasaki produced bigger V-twins with the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000.

The Hondas VTX1800 motorcycles are powered by a 1795cc V-twin with 106 horsepower and 120 pounds-feet of torque (over 160 Nm) at a low 3000 rpm. The engine has a 52-degree layout and produces a hefty pulsating feeling from idle to full song.

The engine has a simple design — single overhead cams and three valves per cylinder. The compression ratio is a mild 9.0:1. The manual says it only needs regular gas — no premium needed. In an age of ever-increasing fuel prices, this is a blessing.

Actually, the Honda VTX1800 is quite an economical bike to ride. User reports show mileage of between 40-45 mpg when ridden in normal conditions, including on the highway. Of course, ride it aggressively and it’ll drop to the mid 30s. Still, pretty good, especially as it’s on regular gas.

The “X” in VTX stands for “Extreme”, and this reflects a lot that is very big about the Honda VTX1800. And it’s not just displacement that’s huge on the VTX. The crankshaft weighs nearly 20 kilos (over 40 lbs)!

The VTX puts power down via a five-speed transmission and a shaft final drive. Putting all that torque down via shaft is an interesting take. It certainly makes me think twice before doing burnouts…

Despite the huge engine, the VTX is a very easy bike to live with. It is easy to start (classic Honda) and low-rpm pootling about is easy. You just need to be easy on the throttle as response is quite quick. Ditto when riding around roundabouts — a small change in throttle position can make a huge difference to your trajectory.

Honda VTX1800 controls
Honda VTX1800 controls

Predictably, the power of the Honda VTX1800 means it’s capable of easy riding at well over national speed limits. You can hold it at over 120 mph (193 km/h), per reports from other riders, and it doesn’t complain at all.

Honda made the big VTX bikes in a few guises, including tourers, classic cruisers, and “naked” cruisers (the VTX1800N). Owners have modified at least some parts of many VTX bikes, so you can expect to see aftermarket exhausts and sometimes different handlebars for modifications to the riding position.

Manual for the Honda VTX1800

2002 Honda VTX1800S Maintenance Schedule Screenshot From Manual

The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the 2002 Honda VTX1800S, with parts input from the other Honda cruiser manuals.

You can download manuals for Honda motorcycles directly from Honda.

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